Humility

Humility does not come easily to Americans and western Europeans. It is antithetical to several of our basic beliefs. We presume we are entitled to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Death seems a violation of our birthright—at least death before old age, which we often define as 20 years older than whatever is our current age.

Americans believe that individual initiative is important to success in life, but each of us will find that no amount of initiative can postpone indefinitely our decline and death. We assume that each of us is unique—in our combination of physical characteristics, talents, goals, and dreams, but death disrespectfully reduces us all to a common denominator.

During our last months or years, most of us will loose strength and stamina. We may loose clarity of mind—and not realize it. We will need the assistance of others.

Humility is recognition of the limits of one’s talents, authority, and powers; it is a comprehension that we are but glittering specks in a vast universe; and it is acceptance of the inevitable. Without humility, our last months and even years could be a frantic but fruitless struggle against decline and death.

Ira Byock, a physician who has tended to many dying people and written several books about it, indicates that as people approach death they need to say five things: “I love you,” “Thank you,” “I forgive you,” “Forgive me,” and “Goodbye.” The latter four require humility.

Quotations about Humility

“There is nothing permanent except change.” ―Heraclitus

“Humility is the only true wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life.” ―George Arliss

“When we look at ourselves from a universal standpoint, something inside always reminds or informs us that there are bigger things to worry about.” ―Albert Einstein

"Getting older is kinda like frying bacon in the nude. You know its gonna hurt, but you're not exactly sure where. ―on a Hallmark birthday card

“To learn which questions are unanswerable, and not to answer them: this skill is most needful in times of stress and darkness.” ―Ursula K. Le Guin

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” ―Reinhold Niebuhr

“'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, and understanding.” ―Alice Walker

[In a commencement address] “No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share.... And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.” ―Steve Jobs

“While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die.” ―Leonardo da Vinci

“A dying man needs to die, as a sleepy man needs to sleep, and there comes a time when it is wrong, as well as useless, to resist.” ―Stewart Alsop

“When the heart weeps for what it has lost, the soul laughs for what it has found.” ―Sufi aphorism

Additional ResourcesAbout Humility

HumilityMost discourses on humility are embedded in theology and philosophy. This Wikipedia article briefly describes the conceptions of humility in several different faiths.

Your Input About Humility

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